About “of Love & Cake”

Based in the stunning region of the Blue Ridge Mountains known as Pisgah Forest, I, photographer Brenda Ernst, take pictures ‘of Love & Cake’. I founded this wedding photography brand in Berkeley, California in 2008, about a year and a half after graduating with my BA in Advertising Photography from Brooks Institute of Photography in Santa Barbara, California. Lots of worldwide travel and a few moves later, I am so happy to be offering my services in a place that feels like home—in my heart, my soul and my bones.

As you look at my work, I hope you see the connection I feel to this craft and the passion I have for capturing your day. From the first time I did a favor for a former Brooks classmate and was a second shooter to her for a wedding in Carmel, California, I was hooked! Photographing people in LOVE, dressed their best, with their family and most beloved friends gathered together in a spectacular location, eating their favorite foods and CAKE, dancing and smiling and creating the most infectious energy of happiness ever= best job ever. I love what I do. And I’ll travel (almost) anywhere in the world to do it for you.

So while I’m now based in the Brevard, North Carolina area, I also travel as a destination wedding photographer. I’ve worked all over the world as a professional photographer for the world’s #1 active travel company, and as a wedding photographer based out of the bay area of California and the Greenville, South Carolina upstate area. Outdoor adventures, mountain biking, road cycling, great food, runs with my dogs, surfing, snowboarding , stand up paddle boarding, kayaking and traveling are all ways I have fun and find balance outside of work. Due to my sporty background, we can have fun and get creative with engagement shoots and wedding portraits where other photographers may not be comfortable. Being trained as a commercial photographer, I learned how to shoot for a client’s assignment and bring their vision to life. I will do this for you. Your love, your cake, your vision, my skills. Let’s do this!